Change and Transition…
As a teacher you need to be aware of your own reaction to change and your own inner journey through the three phases of transition. Realizing that you are not alone and that others are experiencing the transition is reassuring. Try sharing with other teachers what emotions you are feeling as you let go of the “old way.” Progress means taking stock of the past and leaning into the future. Sometimes leaning into the future is easier when you share your journey with those around you and by being an active participant in the change process.
Take a moment to reflect on a time where the transition may have been easier for you. Might you have been more of a participant than a spectator? Change and the transition process may be easier when participating in learning, stepping up when leaders are asking for volunteers, and being curious. Engaging in the change allows you to feel more involved and in control.
Usually the changes you face in education are not about wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. You may now be asked to engage in collaborative teacher teams with your colleagues or implement high-quality instructional practices, but you are still working with the same curricular resources and may be teaching the same grade level as previous years. Work together as a team to determine what collaboration will look like for you and set a vision for how you will interact with each other. You may use a looks like/feels like protocol to support your team with this conversation. The important point is to explore how you can support each other to tackle the changes ahead. As you collaboratively explore, consider using a protocol to support the transition process. Using a Hopes/Fears Protocol will create a norm of ownership by the group of every individual’s expectations and concerns by getting these into the open and begin addressing them together.
This is not to say that change is easy and navigating transitions with your colleagues is more manageable than going it alone.
“Starting today, I need to forget what’s gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what’s coming next.
~ Socrates
December 19, 2019 Bulletin
